Singaporeans who went abroad: Fandi, Sundram … but you won’t know them all

English-born defender Bennett came to prominence in the early 2000s, picking up the 2001 S.League Player of the Year award and then shining for a Singapore Selection side in two high-profile friendlies against English giants Liverpool and Manchester United.

Bennett eventually secured a move to Welsh club Wrexham and was a regular starting player in his two stints there (2001-2002, 2002-2003).

He was released after the club suffered relegation, but returned for a second spell where he helped the club win the Football Association of Wales Premier Cup and clinch promotion back into the English Second Division.

Now 39, Bennett is still playing at the highest level in Singapore and turns out for S.League side Tampines Rovers.

Abdullah Noor

Abdullah Noor's son, Aqhari, is following his footsteps in becoming a professional. Photo: Aqhari Abdullah

Contrary to popular belief, Safuwan is actually not the first Singaporean-born player to play professionally in Australia.

That accolade belongs to Abdullah, who signed for Sunshine George Cross Soccer Club - a top team in the Victorian Premier League (VPL) - in 1995.

The then 33-year-old midfielder-cum-striker scored 12 times in his solitary season there and helped them to clinch third place in the VPL – which is their best-ever finish. He then returned to Singapore to see out the rest of his career.

Now 55, Abdullah is the Director of Sports at Raffles International School in Jakarta, Indonesia.